Sūtra 1.40

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 1.40:

परमाणुपरममहत्त्वान्तोऽस्य वशीकारः ॥ १.४० ॥

paramāṇuparamamahattvānto'sya vaśīkāraḥ || 1.40 ||

40. His mastery extends from the minutest atom to the limit of infinite magnitude.

The Rajamartanda commentary by King Bhoja:

[English translation of the 11th century commentary by Bhoja called the Rājamārtaṇḍa]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

Having thus described the different methods, he proceeds to point out what the fruit thereof is.

[Read Sūtra 1.40]

Having by these means acquired steadiness of the thinking principle, the Yogi, by thinking on minute objects, acquires unfailing “mastery” (vaśīkāra) over the minutest atoms, i.e., his thinking principle is not baffled even by the reflection of the most minute objects, such as the minutest atoms. In the same way, the reflection of big objects, like the sky &c., to infinite magnitude, never causes any disturbance of the thinking principle, i.e., it becomes independent everywhere. Such is the meaning.

Notes and Extracts

[Notes and comparative extracts from other commentaries on the Yogasūtra]

[The purport is obvious. When steadiness is once fully acquired, the thinking principle acquires mastery over every thing, and nothing can baffle it. The result of this perfect nature is transcendantal power over all material and spiritual objects: of this full illustrations will follow in Chapter III. The Pātañjala Bhāṣya adds that when the thinking principle of the Yogī is perfect in this respect, it does not any longer care for the appliances of exercise elsewhere enjoined.—

Tadvaśīkārāt paripūrṇam yoginaścittam na punarabhyāsakṛtam parikarmāpekṣate itit.]

What becomes of the condition of the thinking principle purified by these methods, he now proceeds to describe.